Growing up, I was desperate to learn how to do flicky liquid eyeliner. Those chic, sweeping black lines, kicking up sexily at the corners and made iconic by Monroe, Bardot, Hepburn, the La's and now Adele, remain one of my all-time favourite, most worn looks.

My secret trick is this: if you struggle to keep the lines crisp and precise, start with black pencil underneath. The waxy surface immediately stops the liquid's brush from wobbling, making it move in slow, manageable sweeps.

Line eyes as normal in pencil, then for the flick, imagine the outer corner of your eye as six o'clock. Draw a tiny dot at 10 or two o'clock (depending on which eye you're lining), as far out as you fancy. Then join the dot and the line, forming a point. Trace over with liquid liner to sharpen, filling any gaps. Leave to dry.

Nowadays, I can do flicks in 60 seconds on a juddering train without the pencil stabiliser, but it takes practice. Eyeliner pens are easiest for beginners, but they run out fast, so aim to graduate to liquid and brush. I wear over simple ivory shadow and lots of black mascara, with retro pale gloss or classic red lipstick – anything darker and the whole thing goes goth. These six liners are fantastic.